Internal-combustion engine.



'c. M. BUCK INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATlON FILED SEPT.23.1912- Patent-ed Sept. 26, 1916.

Q'vilumub resident of the city of San Leandro, State orr cn.

cnnrstrornnn M. BUCK, orsnn nnnunno, CALIFORNIA.

IETEBNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

T0 all/#710112 it may concern Be it known that l, Crnus'rornnn M. Buck,a citizen of the limited States. and a of California. have invented newand useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 111 internal combustion enginesand more particularly to the ignition mechanisms thereof.

It is the general practice to provide internal combustion engines withdual electric ignition. One system derives its energy from a battery ofgalvanic cellsoperating through a coil and distributer. The other systemderives its energy from a magneto geared to the engine shaft. Themagneto is switched into operation after the engine is started andbecause of its greater efliciency and economy is depended upon forpractically all of the running ignition. The battery system of ignitionis used merely in starting the engine and as a reserve should themagneto fail.

It is the object of this invention to provide a simple means of throwingthe distributor of the battery system out of engagen'ieut with theengine when not in use; thus saving the distributor (that is a sensitiveand delicate mechanism) from the wear and tear of operation when notcalled In detail the construction consists of the j driving clutch jaw lfixed on the distributer shaft :1: by the set screws 2. clutch jaw 3 hasthe central bore 4 adapted to receive the end of the distributer shaftprojecting through the jaw 1.- The clutch jaws meet on a line lateral tothe diameter of the distributor haft. The purpose of this arrangement isto make it impossible to set the clutch. except when the time shaft ofthe engine is in the proper relative position to the distributer; if itwere otherwise Specification of Letters Patent.

The driven the distributer might be engaged at the wrong interval anddisturb the timing of the engine, that insures the delivery of theignition spark in the cylinder under compression, in the firing cycle.This object may also be accomplished by a single notch only in one jawengaging a single pin in the opposite jaw of the clutch, but the presentform is preferred because of its simplicity and strength; Thedistributer can not be reclutched out of time with the timing of theengine, because the clutch cannot engage unless both jaws thereof are inthe same relative positions as they were when declutched. When thedistributer is declutched it will ride around on top of the clutch jawsuntil the proper position is reached for it to engage, and as there isbut one jaw, and that is lateral to the diameter Patented Sept. 26,1916. Application filed September 23, 1912. Serial No. 721,755. I i

of the distributer shaft it is impossible for the distributer to engageexcept at the proper cycle of operation, when the engine is turned overby hand or mechanical means until the distributor clutch engages and theengine begins to run on its .own power. The jaw 3 is provided with thediametrically reduced portion 5 upon which the distributor y is fixed byset screws .2. The driven jaw 3 is provided with the annular groove 6 toreceive the yoke 7, having trunnions engaging the yoke 8 of the bellcrank lever 9." The bell crank lever is pivoted at.

10 in the bracket 11 that is adapted to be fastened to the engine nearthe distributer. The bell crank is pivoted to the rod 12 extending toany point Within convenient reach of the operator.

The spring latch 13 fixed on the bracket 11 'is provided with thenotches 14 and 15 into which the detent 16 is adapted to seat.

The function of the detent and latch is tov hold the clutch in theoperative and inoperative ositions.' Other means of accomplishing t esame purpose may be provided. To.

limit the disengagement of the clutch, the

set screw 17 threaded in the lug 18 on the bracket 11 is provided.

It is the usual practice to drive distributer shaft by amiter gearenmeshed with a similar gear fixed upon the cam shaft of the enginewhich in turn is geared to the engine shaft.

engine. The distributer terminal rotated by the distributor shaft causesa properlytlmed The distributor consistsof a series. of ignitionterminals corresponding 1n nuInher with a multiplicity of cylinders ofthe:

igniting discharge within each cylinder served by its ignition terminal.

A. distributer for high tensioncurrent as demanded in the ignitionsystems of inter nal combustion engines is an instrument of precisionand delicacy subjected to constant vibration when in operation. Exposedto grit and general abusive wear and tear, it is a common experience tohave the distributer fail to work properly in an emergency. "With thisinvention interposed in the driving mechanism of the distributer, it canbe declutched when the engine is running properlyon the magneto system,saving all unnecessary -wear and tear in the working parts of thedistributer. This greatly prolongs its usefulness and gives insurancethat when thrown into operation, its mechanical parts will be in thesame condition as when last declutched.

Without departing from the spirit of this invention, the manner ofputting it into practice may be altered by changes in mechanical detailor by locating it at different points in the actuating'mechanism of thedistributer.

The distributer could be operated electrically by operating the clutchby a magnet connected to the ignition battery. In this manner thedistributer would be automatically engaged when the ignition switch wasthrown on, and vice versa. The simpler form of mechanically operatedclutch is illustrated as best disclosing" the invention which resides inthe fact of throwing the di sltlributer into and out of engagement at W1Having thus described this invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In combination with the ignition system of internal combustionengines, a dis tributer shaft; an electrical distributer slidable onsaid shaft and provided with a clutch jaw; a clutch jaw on said shaft,said clutch jaws adapted to engage on a line lateral to the diameter ofsaid shaft and means for clutching and declutching, said distributer.

2. In combination with the ignition system of internal combustionengines, a dlSCIlblF ter shaft, an electrical distributer slidable onsaid shaft and provided with a clutch jaw; a clutch jaw on said shaft,said clutch jaws adapted to engage on a line lateral to the diameter ofsaid shaft and means for raising and lowering said distributer.

. CHRISTOPHER M. BUCK. Witnesses: I

B. G. PEARL, 'J. M. MoN'reoMnaY.

